Evans sat in the backseat of a black SUV en route to San Francisco. The Warriors’ rookie soon realized traffic congestion will often await him. Moments later, Evans arrived at the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge on Thursday for the annual 3½-mile race. He quickly saw the magnitude of the Warriors’ fanbase. Evans stood patiently to take photos with several of those fans. He soon discovered just how many Warriors fans are excited about Evans after selecting him No. 28 in the 2018 NBA draft.

That elation stems from the Warriors possibly drafting a young player who can defend, shoot and play multiple positions, three qualities that could bolster bench depth and help the Warriors’ quest to preserve their All-Stars. Evans, 21, remains aware, however, that ongoing support hinges on his play. So, Evans has ingratiated himself in the Bay Area in the same way the Warriors want him to play his game.

“Doing little things around here,” Evans said in an interview with Bay Area News Group. “I’m trying to meet everyone in the organization and I’m trying to call this place home. You can’t really get familiar with a place if you’re not there. So I try to be here as much as I can.”

The main reason: Evans wants to accelerate his learning curve. So after Las Vegas Summer League, Evans returned to Oakland to practice at the Warriors’ facility. He briefly went to New York for the NBA’s rookie transition program. He then visited family in his hometown of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. After those short visits, Evans jetted back to Oakland for more on-court work.

“I’m excited. Growing up, this is my dream,” Evans said. “I’m pretty sure everybody dreamed about playing in the NBA. Being close to starting the season and going out there and playing the game, it’s something that you dream of and something I know I worked really hard for. So I’m ready to get it started, honestly. I’m a little eager.”

Therefore, Evans might feel antsy for the next two weeks. After all, the Warriors do not begin training camp until Sept. 25. That just gives Evans more time, though, to improve what he called “all aspects” of his game.” After all, Evans pledged he is “trying to become the best overall player I can be” as a versatile defender and scorer.

Evans already has earned rave reviews about his defense. Warriors assistant coach Willie Green, who served as the team’s summer-league head coach, often gushed about Evans’ defensive intensity and fundamentals.

“With defense, it’s just about being in the right spots. As a unit, everyone has to move at the same time,” Evans said. “There’s only one rope. Just showing that I can understand how to rotate and things like that. I can see plays developing.”

With the offense? Different story. Evans averaged 5.3 points while shooting only 29 percent from the field in three combined summer-league appearances in Sacramento and Las Vegas. He has downplayed those numbers, mindful that he shot well from 3-point range at the University of Cincinnati as a sophomore (41.8 percent) and junior (37 percent).

During summer league, Evans downplayed the hitch in his shooting stroke since he has always had that form. Since then?

“You make changes for the better. I wasn’t saying I wasn’t going to change it. But I know I shot the ball well my whole career,” Evans said. “It is just summer league. That’s why you get back in the gym, get ready for training camp and get ready for the season.”

During that time, Evans has worked with Green and the Warriors’ training staff in two-a-day sessions to enhance his defensive strengths and improve his shooting weakness. The 6-foot-6, 199-pound Evans also has continued his workout and diet regimen that contributed to him adding muscle and shedding body fat from his freshman to junior season with the Bearcats.

Evans said he has maintained his routine this past summer. He has abstained from juices, candy and soda. He has mostly eaten protein. He has only had cheese and fried chicken in moderation. Still, Evans estimated about “once or twice a week” he eats at Oakland eateries “Flip N’ Soul” and “Hot Dog Co.” He remains hopeful he can find restaurants that have his favorite hometown foods (crawfish fettucini, gumbo crawfish).

Add it all up, and Evans maintained his mostly disciplined diet and workout regimen will “help out a lot” in logging potentially significant bench minutes and adjust from college basketball’s regular-season schedule (low 30s) to the NBA’s 82-game slate.

“It’s about remaining confident and go out there and play freely and play under control,” Evans said. “Just play basketball. It’s nothing to stress about. It’s a game that I love and a game I’ve been playing my whole life.”

Therefore, it should not sound surprising Evans has spent most of his offseason doing just that. It should not sound surprising he awaits training camp to start soon.